News
Shooter At Kent State Apprehended
By: Statehouse News Bureau
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Kent State University officials say around 9 p.m. Wednesday night, a suspect described as an African-American male carrying a silver handgun shot into the ground outside Bowman Hall. Kent State spokesman Eric Mansfield describes what happened next:
“The suspect fled the scene, people who were nearby fled the scene, we locked down the campus, began a search, including searching some buildings in detail….and the suspect has now been apprehended," Mansfield said.
The whole campus was in lockdown as swarms of law enforcement descended on campus. Students tweeted photos of the chaos. The incident follows recent news of a more fatal incident at the Fort Hood Military base in Texas, where a gunman killed three people and himself.
Mansfield says it’s not known why the shooter acted as he did, or if he’s a student. But he says his capture is a relief to everyone.
“We know this was a jarring evening for our students and staff and they behaved greatly, following instructions, as our police followed their protocol, and it’s good to know that he’s in custody, and that our campus is safe again," Mansfield said.
Kent State is also still haunted by the deadly confrontation between National Guardsmen and Vietnam war protesters in 1970. Four protesters were shot and killed, while nine others were wounded.